Lourdes is an amazing place. About 130 years ago, Our Lady
appeared to [Bernadette], a poor 14-year-old girl. Her
message was a simple one reminding us of the gospel, simplicity,
God and the church.
Today, about 5 million visitors a year come for prayer and
to bathe in the waters at [Lourdes]. Also, about 70,000 sick people come
here hoping for a cure to their sickness. And miracles do happen!
I found an enthusiasm for the Catholic faith by everyone there
most remarkable. Whether it be at mass, a candlelight procession,
or just meeting individual people, you could see the universal
church at work.
I
am feeling so blessed to have this gift of faith, this ancestry
of nobility, courage and integrity. As we traced the history
and stories of the first martyrs and the saints I kept thinking
what an incredible family I belong to and I can't wait to meet
these people one day in heaven. But more important, to see the
incredible face of God who loved me enough to be the first to
give His life.
--Theresa |
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| It was a challenge
to move our large group by train. Our luggage was way too much
for the tiny six-berth rooms were were assigned on the sleeper
train. |
Are
next destination was Lourdes, which is where Virgin Mary appeared
to Bernadette in 1858. A bus took us from Assisi to Ventimiglia,
where we boarded an overnight train to Lourdes. Because of a
train-strike, on our bus ride to Ventimiglia, we were able to:
see Genoa (where Christopher Columbus returned after discovering
the "new world"), the French Riviera, and stop in Monaco,
Monte Carlo for a few hours to view the awesome panoramic ocean
scenes. The overnight train "experience" is one I º¦»êt-among
otheí¿ch more spectacular events, I don't think
I ever have or will change guitar strings in a train station!
The whole "overnight" experience is one of those things
that you wouldn't change, but aren't sure if you would ever do
it again.
--Ray |
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| Upon arrival to
Lourdes we had a little prayer service along the banks of Le
Gave River. |
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| We participated
in a candlelight procession along with over 10,000 people. |
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| Created around the
turn of the century, these full-size stations of the cross were
an unexpected surprise. They're built along a winding road that
ends at the top of the hill providing a realistic backdrop to
Christ's crucifixion. These stations even included a tomb hewn
out of rock. |
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Find
out more about the life of St. Bernadette by listening to this
audio
biography brought to you by the Eternal Word Television Network. You will
need the RealMedia player.